Wakeless torpedo



Oct. 23,1928. 1,688,761

E. A. SPERRY I WAKELE'SS TQRlfE'DO Filed Dec. 1, 1921 2 Sheets-Shee t 1 avwewto'c www i ch 23, 192& 1,688,761

E. A. SPERRY WAKELESS TORPEDO Filed Dec. 1, 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 STATES i 7. 1,688,761 PATENT OFF-ICE,

ELMER A. SPERRY, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR T SPERRY DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, OF DOVER, DELAWARE, ,A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

WAKELESS TORPEDO.

Application filed December 1, 1921. Serial No. 519,053

Torpedoes now are extremely ineffective in the daytime, owing to the fact that their trajectory can be seen as they advance towards a ship, and by manoeuvring the ship, they can often be avoided. The visibility of the trajectory is due entirely to the release from the torpedo of a large quantity of air used in driving the torpedo. This rises to the surface in myriads of bubbles causing a track from 6 to ft. wide of pearly white foam which is especially prominent in salt water.

One object of the invention is to develop a torpedo power plant which'will not leave a wake or track or any visible indication as to its path, thereby overcomingthe difiiculties above mentioned and greatly enhancing its value as a weapon of naval warfare.

Another object of the invention is to, increase the range of the torpedo by the employment of a superior system of producing power.

Further objects of the inventionwill become apparent as the description proceeds.

Referring to the drawings;

Fig. 1 is a cross-section through a portion of a torpedo constructed according to my invention, the parts being shown diagrammatically rather than to scale or in detail.

Fig. 2 is a similar cross-section of a modified form of my invention.

Fig. 3 is a transverse section taken approximately on line-33 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a section of the tail of the torpedo, showing how the exhaust steam is permitted to escape into the water.

Fig. 5 is a sectional detail-of a modified form of the combustion chamber.

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic view of the elec"' trical portions of the invention.

Instead of employing a single flask of highly compressed air within thetorpedo shell 1, I prefer to employ a plurality of flasks 2 and 3 containingdifl'erent gases under high pressure (from 2000 to 3000 pounds per sq. in). The gases are so selected that they .will unite chemically with the production-ofa maximum amount of heat-and also so that the resulting product of combustion is a vapor or gas which will condense in its entirety into a liquid'or solid before or upon being discharged from the torpedo into the water. The gases Inow prefer to use arehydrogen and oxygen, although other combinations of elements which will satisfy the above requirements may be used, if desired.

The larger tank 2 is designed for the compressed hydrogen while the smaller tank 3 is for the oxygen. The hydrogen is led from tank 2 through pipe 20, to the usual control 21nd reducing valves 4, which are operated by r1 tulde. two stages (1) by valve 40 shown as in tank 2 and (2) by valve 4. It will be readily un- 'derstood by those skilled in the art that the tank pressure of from 2000 to 3000 lbs. is reduced to a uniform pressure of say from 400 to 500 pounds per square inch by said valves. Llkewise theoxygen is also led' through con-. trol and reducing valves 40' and 4, the latter of which is preferably operated from trip 5, by the link 7 common 'to both valves 4 and 4 and pivoted to trip 5 at 8. From 5 as the torpedo leaves the launching Preferably the reduction is-efiected in the valves, the gases are led into a common broad aspects of this invention are concerned.

In the form shown the hydr gen and oxygen are united at the nozzle as in the oxy-hydrogen blow pipe. The burner 9'is shown as provided with a plurality of nozzles 12 directed in a plurality of directions. It will} also be understood by those skilled in the art that the whole chamber is maintained under suitable pressure, say only slightly lower than that of the entering gases, but contrary to existing practice, Iemploy no alcohol or liquid fuel flame in the chamber, depending entirely on the burning of the gases for-the production of heat. On account of the much higher temperatures produced by the burning of h 'drogen in oxygen than by the burning of a cohol in 'air,I preferto provide cooling means for the chamber, 7 preferably in the .form of a water jacket 13 which may partially surround the combustion chamber. I also prefer to spray water into the'combustionchamber; both t-okeep the temperature "down andto supply a greater volume of superheated steam at workable pressures. 'The,.'

water for the spray is preferably taken through or-from' thewater 'aek'et and i's:

water may be provided in a reservoir 25v conspmyed. ehec r 10 t rough a noz-: j z es 15- An additional supplyofgnected to jacket 13 through pipe26 and coni I "trol valve 27. Preferably said valve is Q opened by trip 5, as by means of link 28 and valve lever 29.

The water is preferably maintained under pressure greater than that of chamber 10 butpreferably less than that of tank 2 as by having a connection through branch pipe 16 with pipe 20 (between valves 40 and 4) so that the water Will be atomized as it enters the chamber where it instantly flashes into steam.

The super-heated steam is led by pipe 30 to the turbine 31, while the exhaust steam is taken out through the hollow propeller shaft 32 and is discharged at the tail of the torpedo, beyond the propellers 33 and 34 (Fig. 4) or in any manner best suited to its complete condensatiom A condenser and vacuum pump may be employed in connection therewith, if desired.

It will be readily apparent however, that even if the steam is directly discharged into the water, it will not produce the bubbles and foam at the surface of the ocean as produced by the discharge of the air in ordinary torpedoes, since the steam upon coming in contact with the cold Water, will immediately condense before any of it reaches the surface. It is well known in the art that torpedoes usually travel quite a number of feet under the water.

In the form of invention shown in Fig. 2, two reduction valves 50 and 51 for the hydrogen tank 2 are placed side by side, while the starting valve 52, operated by latch 5', does not have combined therewith a reduction valve as in Fig. 1. Similarly, the oxygen tank 3 is provided With reduction valves 54 and 55, and starting valve 56. The combustion chamber 10 is again water jacketed by jacket 13', which is connected with the water tanks 25 and 25", on each side of the combustion chamber (Fig. 3) In addition, the pipe 30' connecting the chamber and turbine may also be water jacketed as at 166. The throat of the steam pipe 30 is reduced at 81 to increase the velocity of the steam as is Well understood in the 'art. Water is circulated through the tanks and jacket positivelyby means such' as pump 55' driven from turbine shaft 56 by an eccentric 57, or the like, the pump being connected with the water tank through pipes 58, 59. The water is brought under suitable pressure say intermediate between 500 pounds and. 3000 pounds, by being connected to pipe 20' connecting reducing valves 50 and 51, as by means of pipe 16'. The oxy-hydrogen flame in this instance is projected transversely of the combustion chamber from burner 60, 'which is fed by pipes 61 and 62, leading from valves 56 and 52 respectively. The water on the other hand may be projected oppositely to the oxyhydrogen flame by means of a spray nozzle 64 connected to the water tank, through pipe 65. As in the previous case, the combustible mixture may be ignited by any means such as spark plug 65 in circuit with spark coil 66' (Fig. 6) and batteries 67.

Preferably also, I provide means for preventing the production of too great heat or too great pressure, or both, within the combustion chamber. This may be accomplished by thermostatic and pressure regulation of the flow of combustible mixture through the burner, or of the amount of water injected, or both. For this purpose, I have shown a pressure re ulator 100 which may be located in a side wa lof the chamber 10 as governing the admission of the gases and a thermostat 66" as governing the water. Said regulator 100 is arranged to close contacts 68 and 69' when the pressure in said chamber exceeds a predetermined amount. Closing of said contacts excites the solenoid 70 which operates to push to the left lever 71, which is pivoted to rod 72 connected to the armature ofthe solenoid (Figs. 2 and 6), thereby simultaneously partially closing gas valves 51 and 55, through valve stems 74, 75. Preferably also, said lever 71 is connected to a corresponding lever 76 connected with valve stems 77, 78 of valves 50, 54 so that all of said valves are partially closed when the pressure within the combustion chamber approaches the danger limit. As soon as the pressure is reduced however, the regulator opens the contacts and the valves are restored to their normal position by spring 80. The admission of water on the other hand I prefer to control thermostatically. For this purpose, I have shown a thermostat 66" which may be located in the pipe 30. Said thermostat is arranged to close contacts 68 and 69 when the temperature in said passage becomes too high. Said contacts excite solenoid 7 0' connected to a lever secured to the stem of valve 91 in Water pipe 75 (Figs. 2 and 6). By this or similar means, the injection of water may be increased when the temperature in chamber 10 rises too high and reduced when it falls.

I also prefer to provide a means for regulating the amount of hydrogen projected into the combustion chamber, so that none of the hydrogen will be wasted. To this end, I may so design and adjust the apparatus as to tend to inject hydrogen at a greater rate than necessary to consume all of the oxygen injected, and then provide a means regulated by the percentage of excess hydrogen in the exhaust for keeping it within any desired limits, even approaching zero. By this means I insure a reducing flame and mixsistance of a certain coil being greatly reduced whenever hydrogen is present. Said.

detector is shown as in circuit with the source of electro-motive force 67 and also with a to close valves 51 and 50 and may also open valves 55 and 54, if desired,-thereby decreasing relatively the amount of hydrogen and also increasing relatively the amount of oxyen, if desired. By this means the proper alance between the two gases may be maintained, so that complete combustion is secured.

The modification shown in Fig. 5 is very similar to that shown in Fig. 2, except that in this modification, a wall of fire brick. or the like, is placed in the combustion chamber opposite the burner 60, while the water is introduced at areduced lower portion of the chamber and is discharged upwardly by nozzle 64', so that the hot vapors are brought into contact with the entering water as they pass to the pipe 30.

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, I have herein described the principle of operation of my invention, together with the apparatus which I now con sider to represent the best embodiment thereof, but I desire to have it understood that the apparatus shown is only illustrative and that the invention can be carried out by other means. Also, while it is designed to use the various features and elements in the combination and relations described, some of these may.be altered and others omitted without interfering with the more general results,

outlined, and the invention extends to such use. I

Havin described my invention what .I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1s 1. In a torpedo, the combination with an oxygen flask, a hydrogen flask, and an engine, of a combustion chamber where said-- gases are burned under .reduced pressure, means for sp-rayingwater into said chamber, and a connection from said chamber for leading the steam produced by thecombustion of the hydrogen and oxygen and by the evaporation of the water to the engine.

2. The method of driving an under water torpedo without the production of a wake whlch consists in storing in thetorpedo highly compressed gases, which chemically unite to form a condensible vapor, passing said gases through a reducing valve or valves, burning the same together in a combustion chamber and, transferring the highly heated compressed vapors to the engine.

3. The method of driving an under water torpedo without the production of a wake which consists in storin in the torpedo highly compressed gases, w ich chemically unite to form a condensible vapor, passing said gases through a reducing valve or valves, burning the same together in a combustion chamber, spraying water into said chamber to form steam and'transferring the highly heated compressed vapors to the'engine.

4. In a torpedo, the combination with an oxygen flask, a hydrogen flask, and an engine, of a reduction valve for each flask, a

combustion chamber where said gases are,

burned under reduced pressure, means for spraying water into said chambenand a connection from said chamber. for leading the steam produced by the combustion of the hydrogen and oxygen andby the evaporation of the Water to the engine.v

- 5. In a torpedo, the combination with an oxygen flask, a hydrogen flask, and engine, of a combustion chamber where said gases are burned under reduced pressure, a'water jacket around said chamber, means for spraymg water into said chamber from said jacket, and a, connection from said chamber for leading the steam produced by the combustion of p gine, of a combustion. chamber where said gases are burned under reduced pressure, means for spraying water into said chamber, thermostatic means for regulating the temperature in said chamber, and a connection from said-chamber for leading the steam produced by the combustion of the hydrogen and oxygen and by the evaporation of the water to the engine.

v7. The method of driving an under water torpedo without the production of a wake which consists in storing in the torpedo nigh- -ly compressed gases, which chemically unite to form a condensible vapor, passing said gases through a reducing valve or valves, burning the same together in a; combustion chamber, spraying water from a water jacket around said chamberv into said chamber to form steam and'transferring the highly heated compressed vapors to the engine.

8. In a torpedo, the combination with an oxygen flask, a hydrogen flask, and an engine. of a combustion chamber where said gases are burned under reduced pressure, means for spraying water into said chamber, a connect1on from said chamber for leading the steam produced by the combustion of the hydrogen andoxygen and by the evaporation of the water to the engine, means for detecting unburned gas in the steam, and means brought into vaction thereby for regulating the relative proportion of the gases burned.

9. In a tor edo, the combination with a plurality of asks adapted to contain comlot pressed combustible gases, a combustion chamber for said gases, means for cont-rolling the admission of both gases into the chamber, free gas detecting means, and means controlled thereby for regulating the relative admission of the gases.

10. In a torpedo, the combination with an oxygen flask, a hydrogen flask, and. an engine, of a combustion chamber where said gases are burned under reduced pressure, means for spraying water into said chamber, thermostatic means for regulating the amount of water sprayed into said chamber and a connection from said chamber for leading the steani produced by the combustion of the hydrogen and oxygen and by the evaporation of the water to the engine.

11. In a torpedo, the combination with an oxygen flask, a hydrogen flask, and an engine, of a combustion chamber where said gases are burned under pressure, means for spraying water into said chamber, thermostatic means for regulating the amount of water sprayed into said chamber, pressureresponsive means for controlling the admission of the gases to said chamber, and a connection from said chamber for leading the steam produced by the combustion of the hydrogen and oxygen and by the evaporation of the water to the engine.

12. In a torpedo, the combination with a plurality of flasks adapted to contain compressed combustible gases, a .combustion chamber for said gases, free gas detecting means, and means controlled thereby for regulating the relative admission of the gases.

13. In a torpedo, the combination with an oxygen flask, a hydrogen flask, 'and an engine, of a combustion chamber where sald gases are burned under reduced pressure, means for spraying water into said chamber, a connection from said chamber for leading the steam produced by the combustion of the hydrogen and oxygen and by the evaporation of the water to the engine, means for detecting unburned gas in the steam, and other means for regulating the rate of admission oi both gases.

14. In a torpedo, the combination with a plurality of flasks adapted to contain compressed combustible gases, a combustion chamber for said gases, pressure'responsive means for controlling the admission of both gases into the chamber, free gas detecting means, and means controlled thereby for regulating the relative admission of the gases.

15. In a torpedo,'the combination with a combustible fluid and a fluid for supporting combustion, a chamber in which said fluids are burned, means for spraying water into said chamber, means for detecting free combustible fluid in the exhaust from said chalnber, means controlled thereby for regulating the admission of said combustible fluid and pressure responsive means for governing the flask of compressed gas, a source of combustible substance adapted to burn in said gas, a chamber in which said substance is burned in said gas having a discharge duct, a detector of one of the substances supporting the combustion located in the discharge duct and means actuated thereby for controlling the admission of said substance to the combustion chamber.

18. In a torpedo, the combination with a flask of compressed gas, a sou,rce of combustible substance adapted to burn in said gas, a chamber in which said substance is burned in said gas, the relative admission of said gases being normally adjusted to supply an excess of one of said substances of combustion to the combustion chamber, a detector for said'substance in the exhaust and means actuated thereby for controlling the relative admission of said two substances to the combustion chamber.

19. In a torpedo, the combination with a combustible fluid and a fluid for supporting combustion, a. chamber in which said fluids are burned, the relative admission of said fluids being normally adjusted'to supply an excess of said combustible fluid, and means for detecting free combustible fluid in the exhaust from said chamber, and means controlled thereby for regulating the admission of said combustible fluid.

20. In a power mechanism, the combination with a source of hydrogen and oxygen under pressure, a combustion chamber, means for supplying an excess of hydrogen to the chamber to produce a reducing flame, means for limiting the excess proportion of hydrogen supplied to the chamber, and means for utilizing the products of combustion in producing work.

In testimony whereof I have aflixed my signature.

ELMER A. SPERRY. 

